Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IRISH CITIZENS OR residents who commit serious offences in other jurisdictions will be liable to be prosecuted in Ireland under a new law which comes into effect from today.
The Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act will allow the State to take action against those who commit a range of offences, including murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, assault, and threats to kill or cause serious harm.
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan said that the passing of the law enabled Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention.
The convention, which aims to combat violence against women and domestic violence, was signed by Ireland in November 2015, but was only ratified last month.
“The commencement of this Act signifies that Ireland is committed to our international obligations and that we are steadfast in our efforts to combat violence against women and all forms of domestic violence,” Flanagan said.
“These new provisions can now be used to tackle violent crimes committed by Irish citizens and residents abroad.”
The Act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins on 5 March this year, and allowed Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention on International Women’s Day on 8 March.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should bring it in for Irish citizens who commit serious offences in Ireland!
Prefer to see a law that deports foreign criminals.
@edelno5 .: there are already laws there for that
@Darren Byrne: They obviously dont work
@MickN: yes they do quiet well. They’re call EAWs but they are open to abuse & very often citizens from other jurisdictions don’t get fair trials abroad.
@edelno5 .: That type of law has been in existence pretty much as long as the state has been in existence. It’s a pure myth that foreign nationals who commit serious crime in Ireland can’t be deported. The circumstances under which that it can’t be done are limited and relate pretty much to serious concern about the more serious human rights violations.
So you can probably murder someone abroad n come home to a suspended sentence
They way our justice system is, this only benefits the criminal.
would this change in law count for people who went to join isis and now want to ‘return ‘home , ?
@Eric Davies: yes
They don’t even sentence people harshly who are already murdering and raping in our own country so big whoop. Plus why is raping seen as a toxic word, last time I looked it was in the dictionary?
It seems like it would be very difficult to investigate and proscecute such a case.
what about a law that imposes sanctions against Irish citizens who travel abroad and join terrorist organisations then expect consular assistance etc, in their attempts to return home and act like nothing has happened?
Just serious offences.. Well done…
@TechBuzz Ireland: well in fairness, do you want to see a situation where people can be prosecuted for say speeding or double parking in a foreign country? That leaves a law like this open to abuse.
Commit or accused?
@Mumpsimus: “open to prosecution”
@TellingItAsItIs: And now show me on the Cabbage Patch doll what he did to the other Cabbage Patch doll lol.
We better start building prisons as soon as possible as we have too many criminals roaming around this island that should be behind bars years ago. Justice system too soft on crime here. It’s not safe to walk our streets any more. Shame on us! Mary Lyons
Didn’t see anything about the lowlifes who are operating their supposed drug empires while abroad, then again, I’d let the country they reside in sentence them etc…. because this country is a joke when it comes to sentencing drug dealers!
So you broke the law in China and Turkey for asking for Human rights, off to jail with you…
Or just instead go to Holland and break Irish laws there instead lol.
Is it retrospective, I hit a lad over the head with a shovel in London in 1983. Will I be deported.
have your say